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Former US official calls situation a "disaster" and says institutional chaos damages Kosovo's international standing
Former US official and expert on Balkan affairs, Edward Joseph, has described the current political situation in Kosovo as a "disaster", warning that the internal crisis is damaging the country's institutional stability and international standing.
In an interview with Radio Kosova, Joseph said that the country is facing a political crisis that, according to him, has been artificially created. He argued that the election result was clear and gave Prime Minister Albin Kurti the responsibility to lead the institutional processes and fully form the government.
According to Joseph, the Prime Minister also had a constitutional obligation to advance the process of electing the president, but he believes this responsibility has not been fulfilled. He warned that such a situation could create an institutional vacuum and have serious consequences in both Kosovo's domestic politics and international relations.
Joseph, former Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and an expert on the region with many years of experience in the Balkans, stressed that the situation is particularly sensitive given the tense relations with Serbia and the fact that Kosovo is still not recognized by several European Union and NATO countries.
He also mentioned contradictions in the political messages coming from institutions and political representatives in Kosovo. According to him, while the authorities declare their intention to join NATO, some political statements towards international partners create unnecessary tensions.
Joseph warned that political chaos in Kosovo could directly benefit Serbia in the international arena. According to him, such a situation gives Belgrade the opportunity to argue that Kosovo is not functioning as a state.
He added that political polarization and lack of compromise make it difficult to advance reforms and the Euro-Atlantic integration process.
According to Joseph, for a country facing a hostile neighbor and still lacking full international recognition, political stability and strong relations with the United States are essential. He stressed that one solution to avert the crisis could be to extend the mandate of the current president, Vjosa Osmani, while appreciating her relations with the American administration.
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